Could Taylor Be in Patriots Plans?
Jason Taylor''s going to be 35 when the 2009 season begins and, in the past calendar year, he's made more of an impact on prime-time television than the NFL (he Danced With the Stars. Actually, Stars Danced With Him. Or he was a Dancing Star which sounds like a name from Dances With Wolves, but I'm off track a bit).
So who and how can Jason Taylor - released Monday by the Redskins - help?
(Aside: If offseason workouts are voluntary and Taylor was released by Washington because he wouldn't agree to a clause in his deal to participate in more than 25 this offseason, isn't that kinda...not wicked legal?)
Start with the who because, apparently, a dozen teams according to PFT's Mike Florio, have expressed interest. Let's figure out the ones that would be places Taylor would entertain going to, i.e. teams with a reasonable chance of contending for the Super Bowl who will be accomodating to a 35-year-old who wants the summer off and will be paid lots of money.
AFC: Patriots. Jets. Titans. Browns. Texans
NFC: Cowboys. Buccaneers.
And from that list, the team's that would be most accomodating would probably be the Jets, Patriots and Cowboys - New York because Rex Ryan seems a veteran players dream, New England because they always accomodate brass-ring grabbing veterans who can help them and Dallas because that's how they roll.
New England is the most likely fit. Bill Belichick has devoted about an hour of verbal odes to Jason Taylor combined since he became Patriots coach in 2000. Every time the Pats had the Dolphins, Belichick would prattle on about how dominant and unblockable and game-altering he was. Tom Brady loves Taylor (they're similar guys) and there's just an immense amount of respect in Foxboro for him. Given the way the Patriots accomodate veteran stars who can help them in a specific role, it's reasonable to assume New England would make sure Taylor got his time with his family this offseason as long as he showed up for training camp knowing what he was supposed to do. With Mike Vrabel gone to Kansas City and the Pats having cap space from the Matt Cassel trade, Taylor can almost certainly expect a call from the 508 area code.
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Drilling deeply into the mantle layer of America's Passion, NBCSports.com's Tom Curran offers up quick hits and insights on all things NFL.
What did NBCSports.com ever see in you, Curran?
WTF??? This would be one step below Marino signing with the Jets and one step above Bryan Cox signing with the Bills, in terms of unforgivable sins against Miami's franchise and fans.
I certainly hope this is just be a ruse you are doing as a "favor" to JT's agent in an attempt to get The Tuna to return his calls.
Either way, not funny.
Wow, such comments. No love for the guy who is still one of the best Patriots insiders even though he has gone national. To me, his analysis of the Jason Taylor situation is spot on.
So, 3 teams that run a 3-4 are all interested in a 4-3 DE? With the exception of NE, who plays alot of mixed and weird fronts, I don't get it. At best he'd be a pass rush specialist. He's too small to play DE in a 3-4 head up on the OT, and I don't think this is the point in his career to teach him how to play up and in the 3-4 OLB spot. Where's the return on the investment for teaching him a new position? He's got one year before he calls it quits, right?
Sorry. I think the article is garbage and the writer needs to put more thought into some things. It just doesn't make any sense when you apply the defensive formations.
I could see him in Philly, but that's the only place that seems to fit his skill set, age and desire to play for a real contender.
Mark, maybe you should watch football more often. He played OLB in Miami's 3-4 scheme.
I think Belichick figured that Taylor would be released, and planned to sign him. That - along with $4 million in cap savings - may explain the Vrabel trade. Belichick likes 3 man rotations (with Adalius Thomas), but there's no way he'd want an all over-30 rotation at OLB (and Vrabel has lost speed). The Pats have a stable of young OLB's to groom, and may draft an OLB to fit into that 3rd spot in the rotation, to go with Thomas and Taylor.
Curran was on WEEI recently in Boston and asked Danny Ainge a question so convoluted Ainge's only response was "huh". Get to point Curran! Either that or provide a road map with your questions and comments.
As a dolphins fan I'd like to point out JT Played both DE's and weak and strong outside linebacker for the dolhpins dependent on the play. He also has a penchant for picking off passes in coverage. Brady and Ex Pat Cassel know about that. That being said, I would hate to see him play for the Pats. But he would be reunited with alot of ex Dolphins in New England.
Tom S. -
His analysis isn't "spot on." Jason Taylor absolutely hates the Jets, and the Jets hate him right back. All it takes is a little Google search to see all of the disparaging things Taylor has said about the Jets and Jet fans. Anybody who knows anything about this guy or the Jets knows he would never play in green and white.
@ Joe B
Money changes everything. Those comments become:
"Comments made in the heat of the moment."
As someone with a 508 area code, I would love to see taylor come play for the pats...the guy has class and experience and has a way of single handedly changing any opposing QBs post snap rhythme that only a couple other guys out there have.
he'll come to the pats, fall into line so he can win his ring and will put it to chad and whatever sad excuse for a QB the jets can put behind the man(of)gold and it'll be fun to watch.
and ease up on curran, i think he is the only guy out there even talking about this so i'd say that is good journalism. just because ur a fins or jets fan and can't stand the thought of the pats getting even better doesn't mean u should beat up the messenger.
Mark said:
So, 3 teams that run a 3-4 are all interested in a 4-3 DE? With the exception of NE, who plays alot of mixed and weird fronts, I don't get it. At best he'd be a pass rush specialist. He's too small to play DE in a 3-4 head up on the OT, and I don't think this is the point in his career to teach him how to play up and in the 3-4 OLB spot. Where's the return on the investment for teaching him a new position? He's got one year before he calls it quits, right?
Dude is coming off an off year plagued with injuries but you forget he was Defensive Player of the Year one season before.
Also, anyone that has actually seen Taylor play before would know that he plays many positions in the front 7, not just as an end in a 4-3. He is actually more dangerous when he lines up off the line as teams always have to account for him.
Here's the deal. JT is one of the most versatile front 7 guys in the entire NFL, so all that crap about will he fit in with the pats and their 3-4 D just needs to stop. Being a Patriots fan, I would love to see a player with Taylors talent to come and play for NE.
Plus, the only reason some of you don't want him to play with the pats is because you're SCARED! Face it, your so afraid that the Patriots will become even better than they already are and dominate everyone in the AFC east, or the rest of the NFL for that matter.
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